IndustrySecond Boeing 777X completes maiden flight

05.05.2020

Aircraft manufacturer Boeing has announced, that its second B777X test-bed aircraft has successfully completed its first flight.

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Boeing has completed the maiden flight of its second B777X. The aircraft, which was captained by Ted Grady, 777X project pilot, and Capt. Van Chaney, 777/777X chief pilot, took off from Washington state and landed 2 hours and 58 minutes later safely.

WH002 is the second of four dedicated test bed aircraft. The test fleet will be putting to test the handling characteristics and other aspects of the overall aircraft performance. The tests are being performed to ensure a maximum of safety.

An array of sensors and monitoring devices have been installed throughout the cabin to collect analysable data. It allows the cabin to document and evaluate the airplane´s response to test conditions in real life and time.

At the end of January this year, the first Boeing 777X took off after several attempts the days before. Since then, the aircraft has put around 100 flight hours on the clock, while performing several tests.

Boeing confirmed in a statement: "The 777X test plan lays out a comprehensive series of tests and conditions on the ground and in the air to demonstrate the safety and reliability of the design. To date, crews have flown the first airplane nearly 100 hours at a variety of flap settings, speeds, altitudes and system settings as part of the initial evaluation of the flight envelope. With initial airworthiness now demonstrated, the team can safely add personnel to monitor testing onboard instead of relying solely on a ground-based telemetry station, unlocking testing at greater distances."

The plan is, to have the 777X certified by 2021 so that deliveries can start in the next year. However, it is still a long way to go for Boeing. To date, the manufacturer has received orders for 309 777X aircraft from nine different customers.

The aircraft family consists of the 777-8, which can seat up to 384 passengers, and the 777-9, which can accommodate up to 426 passengers. Both aircraft are being powered by the newly developed GE9X engine. Main characteristic is the wing, which is foldable while taxiing.